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Re: break a leg meaning good luck/ other expressions like this?

break a leg originally applied only to actors, who believe it is unlucky to wish good luck: breaking things is not usually seen as lucky. It is now used a bit more widely to someone who is starting a risky venture and sometimes as a toast when drinking

Re: break a leg meaning good luck/ other expressions like this?

Originally Posted by fountofwisdom

break a leg originally applied only to actors, who believe it is unlucky to wish good luck: breaking things is not usually seen as lucky. It is now used a bit more widely to someone who is starting a risky venture and sometimes as a toast when drinking

Re: break a leg meaning good luck/ other expressions like this?

I can't think of any really "breaking the tape"is an expression from sprinting which means finishing first. Breaking into a note means spending money from a note, some people do not like changing a note into coins. Breaking into a sweat means putting some effort into things. We do not have an equivilant of breaking a pencil,which you mentioned. Busting a gut means using excessive effort. Breaking in is an expression which refers to taming horses, but can also be applied to shoes.